Chapters of trade organizations will have to utilize new technologies and function differently in order to thrive in the future, according to Leo Baran, AFS director of membership services and lead presenter at the 2011 American Foundry Society Chapter Officer Conference (COC).

Thirty-one chapters were represented at the conference, held Aug. 18-19, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Des Plaines, Ill. The theme of this year’s event, “Chapters 2.0,” reflected the chapters’ need to look at the way they are and will be functioning in the future.

“How will chapters be communicating in the future?” Baran asked. “Will social networking be an integral component? Should video conferencing augment board and chapter meetings? Using new technologies is an inexpensive way to communicate across chapter lines and will be crucial in bringing in fresh faces to the metalcasting industry.”

Theory was put into action on both days of the conference. A representative from the AFS Northern Indiana Chapter worked live with AFS staff to create a Facebook page, and a short video conference was held between attendees and AFS staff using Apple iPads and Facetime technologies. 

Beyond chapter communication and new technologies, presentations included “For Your Industry – Key Chapter Resources,” by Jennifer Head, CMI director of education, and “FEF By the Numbers,” by Joe Costabile, FEF executive secretary. Representatives for the AFS New England, Wisconsin and Detroit-Windsor Chapters also gave presentations at the event.